7 ways to have fun this summer in Calgary

While Calgary enjoys only a few magnificent summer months before the long cold periods of winter, there are many ways to go out and enjoy it to the full, even if you are trying to save money, money. From a bike tour to a photographic trip, here are seven ways to have fun this summer while respecting your budget.

Enjoy Calgary Cycling Trails

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Calgary has one of Canada’s longest bike paths, with more than 900 kilometers of trails. Popular places to start your hike include Nose Hill Park – where you can see white-tailed deer on the hill – and the South Glenmore or North Glenmore parks, where you have access to the Glenmore Reservoir trail.

Another popular bike path runs from Edworthy Park to Prince’s Island Park via the Bow River Trail. Prepare a picnic and enjoy the excitement of Prince’s Island Park in the summer. The Calgary bike paths are open year round for cycling enthusiasts, but there is no better time than summer to enjoy the beautiful weather.

Take a guided tour of the popular neighborhoods

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Trendy neighborhoods like Kensington, Inglewood and East Village are great places to visit at any time of the year. These neighborhoods are home to excellent shops such as The Silk Road Spice Merchant and Gummy Boutique, as well as wonderful places to have a coffee. Keep an eye out for the summer festivals held in these neighborhoods, including the Inglewood Sunfast.

Visit flea markets and public markets

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If you are looking for fresh produce, meats, and unique dishes, look no further than the multitude of flea markets and seasonal producers markets in Calgary. The Calgary Farmers’ Market and the Crossroads Market are open all year round and have a variety of merchants selling locally made products such as honey, jams, and cold meats. Seasonal markets include the Marda Loop Farmers’ Market and the Hillhurst Sunnyside Market, which closely resemble social gathering venues, with live music and ample good food.

Discover the Rock Garden Reader

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The Reader Rock Garden is a historic park, a short walk from the city center. The gardens are decorated with plants and flowers, rocky paths, wooden benches and picturesque bridges, which is a perfect place for a family picnic. After your walk, visit the Reader’s Garden Café for a quick bite.

Take a photographic trip

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Calgary is a great place for photo enthusiasts who are looking for another perspective on the world that surrounds them. The city has a mixture of ancient and modern architecture – from the heritage buildings of Stephen Avenue to the imposing Bow Building – as well as beautiful green parks and graffiti-colored walls. You can take a picture of the unique Calgary skyline from the Center Street Bridge from Rotary Park or Scotsman’s Hill for a view including the Stampede and Saddle dome grounds.

Discover local art

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There are many galleries and art houses, which you can visit free in Calgary. Contemporary art lovers will appreciate the works presented at the New Gallery, located in Chinatown, as well as at TRUCK Contemporary Art. For more traditional art, the Nickle Art Galleries, at the U of C campus, offers incredible exhibitions that are constantly changing. For independent and eclectic works, Baba’s Art Haus is a unique blend of contemporary and classical art, photographs, and sculptures by artists from Calgary.

For Book Lovers

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A second-hand bookshop is a pleasant place to visit to find hidden treasures and rare literary finds. Shelf Life, Books between Friends and Fair’s Fair are community bookstores where you can often find a quiet place to read. Fair’s Fair has a used book program that allows you to exchange your old books for in-store credit, while Books between Friends offers very low prices and returns profits to non-profit organizations in the city.

No need to empty your bank account for fun this summer. Enjoy the sun on your budget and enjoy the summer season in Calgary.